Multi-configuration grappling hook system

ABSTRACT

A retractable and fast-deploying grappling hook has a plurality of tines foldable around a central shaft that can quickly be individually set into a deployed position or a retracted position with no more than two turns of a capping head. The speed and ease of operation of the deploying and locking mechanism are due in part to the concavely machined undersurface of the head which mirrors the path end of the tines hinged to the side of the shaft. The same locking maneuver and adjustment of the head apply coincidentally to the deployed and retracted tines. A belt-attachable caddy houses a slotted receptacle for a removable plate mounting a take-up reel around which a cable secured to an eyelet at the proximal end of the shaft can be wound.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grappling hooks, and more specificallyto a grappling hook which can be quickly moved between variousconfigurations, and portably deployed and retrieved.

BACKGROUND

Grappling hooks are well known devices, which are used for tethering orsecuring ropes, cables, to supporting structures and other devices.Grappling hooks are often used in climbing where a cable is secured toone end of the grappling hook. A myriad of other uses of a grapplinghook are well know in the art, including pulling, towing, securing,tying, connecting, and anchoring. For example they can: help secure aclimbing rope or wire ladder against a cliff, wall or other suchobstacle; move obstacles such as barbed wires out of the way; or drag asuspicious package into a ruggedized container.

Each of these potential uses of a grappling hook can require a specialtine configuration. Sometimes multiple long tines are used, whereas inother cases no more than two short tines are required.

Traditional grappling hooks such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,240,937 Wooten et al., employ tines rigidly fixed to a shaft. Thesetines frequently have sharp teeth to assist in engaging the targetsupporting structure. One disadvantage of these traditional grapplinghooks is that they require significantly greater volume for storage.Furthermore, the cumbersome nature of the traditional grappling hookmakes transportation difficult and potentially unsafe. The extended andoften sharply pointed, exposed tines can be a safety hazard.

Various folding grappling hooks have been proposed, such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,079,761, 6,062,621, and 6,267,424.However, changing the configuration of the tines can be time consumingand/or require relatively intricate manipulations. Such manipulationsand the luxury of time may be unavailable in some situations where thegrappling hook is to be used.

Under emergency conditions where lives are threatened, it becomesimperative that the grappling hook be easily and quickly brought to therequired configuration.

Therefore, there is a need for a multi-configuration grappling hookdevice and method which addresses one or more of the above problems.

SUMMARY

The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provideimproved multi-configuration grappling hook system.

These and other objects are achieved by a grappling hook having amovable head for locking the position of at least one tine.

In some embodiments there is provided a grappling hook with retractabletines of different lengths that can be individually locked into aradially deployed position or retracted against the shaft by a shortmovement of a weighted capping head. In some embodiments, theundersurface of the head is arcuately machined to match the travel ofthe proximal extremities of the tines, thus reducing the requiredmovement of the head from the unlocking position to the locking one.

In some embodiments there is provided a caddy bag that can be carried ona belt which houses between two rails a handle equipped, removable platemounting a reel upon which a cable attached to the proximal end of thehook can be wound up.

The content of the original claims is incorporated herein by referenceas summarizing features in one or more exemplary embodiments.

In some embodiments there is provided a retractable grappling hook whichcomprises: a central shaft elongated along a first axis; a plurality oftines; each of said tines being rotatively connected by a pin to aperipheral area of the shaft and including a short proximal leverportion having an end surface and an outer lateral surface on one sideof the pin and an elongated grappling portion on an opposite side of thepin; each of said tines being individually pivotable from a deployedposition oblique to the shaft to a folded position substantiallyparallel to the shaft; and an axially movable head adjustable between atine-unlocking configuration and a tine-locking configuration; whereinthe head bears against the axial end surface of a tine in said foldedposition and against the outer lateral surface of a tine in saiddeployed position; and wherein the head has a tine-contactingundersurface machined to coincidentally rest against the end surface ofa folded tine and the outer lateral surface of a deployed tine when thehead is adjusted to the locking position.

In some embodiments the undersurface has a arcuately concave circulararea having a radius of concavity centered about the pin.

In some embodiments the radius is substantially equal to the maximumradius of travel of said end surface.

In some embodiments the undersurface further comprises a peripheralmargin chamfered to planarly rest against said end surface.

In some embodiments the head further comprises a conical top having aperiphery substantially commensurate with the outer radial extent ofsaid tine in said folded position.

In some embodiments a plurality of said tine are secured to said shaftat evenly spaced locations.

In some embodiments the a plurality of said tine are interchangablysecured to said shaft.

In some embodiments the at least one of said tines has a barbed tip.

In some embodiments there is provided a grappling hook which furthercomprises: an eyelet mounted at a second end of said shaft; a take-upreel; and a length of cable having a first end tied to said eyelet andan opposite second end wound upon said reel.

In some embodiments there is provided a grappling hook which furthercomprises: a plate; an axle projecting perpendicularly from a medianarea of said plate and rotatively supporting said reel; and a carryinghandle attached to a side of said plate.

In some embodiments there is provided a grappling hook which furthercomprises: a caddy which comprises: a rigid flat wall; and a pair ofspaced apart, parallel rails on said wall slidingly holding said platetherebetween.

In some embodiments at least two of said tines are of different lengths.

In some embodiments there is provided a retractable grappling hook whichcomprises: a central shaft having a longitudinal first axis and across-section radius; a head movably secured to a first end of saidshaft, sais head being axially adjustable in relation to said first endto a proximal locking position, and to a distal unlocking position; atleast one tine having a pointed extremity and an opposite lockingextremity; said tine being pivotally secured to said shaft proximatelyto said locking extremity about a second axis perpendicular to saidfirst axis; said head comprising a cap having an undersurface defining acircular, arcuately concave area having a radius centered substantiallyabout said second axis when said head is adjusted to said unlockingposition; and said locking extremity being held against said shaft whensaid head is adjusted to said position.

In some embodiments said locking extremity comprises: an inwardlyoblique end-portion having an outwardly-facing shoulder surface; and abearing surface substantially perpendicular to said shoulder surface.

In some embodiments said head further comprises a conical top having aperiphery substantially commensurate with the outer extent of said tinein said locking position.

In some embodiments said cap bears against said bearing surface whensaid head is to said locking position.

In some embodiments a plurality of said tine are secured to said shaftat evenly spaced locations.

In some embodiments there is provided a retractable grappling hook whichfurther comprises: an eyelet mounted at a second end of said shaft; atake-up reel; and a length of cable having a first end tied to saidoutlet and an opposite second end wound-up on said reel.

In some embodiments there is provided a retractable grappling hook whichfurther comprises: a plate; an axle projecting perpendicularly from amedian area of said plate and rotatively supporting said reel; and acarrying handle attached to a side of said plate.

In some embodiments there is provided a retractable grappling hook whichfurther comprises: a caddy having a rigid flat wall; and a pair ofparallel rail on said plate slidingly holding said plate therebetween.

In some embodiments at least two of said tines are of different lengths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the grapplinghook and its accessories.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, partial cutaway view of the grappling hookshowing one deployed tine.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hook.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the hook caddy.

FIGS. 5-10 show an embodiment of our design for a carrying caddy.

FIGS. 11-14 show an embodiment of our design for a collapsible grapplinghook.

FIGS. 15-19 show an embodiment of our design for a collapsible grapplinghook head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a grapplinghook system including a retractable grappling hook 11 secured to an end9 of a flexible tether 10 using a snap clip 59 or other connector. Thetether secures at an opposite end to a hand operable spool assembly 8releasably mounted to a caddy 7 combined with a protective carry pouch38. The caddy also contains internal space for protectively carryingassorted related equipment including clasps, snap clips, and other toolsand accessories.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the grappling hook comprises a shaft 12 having acentral, longitudinal axis X-X′, four tines 13, 14, 15, and 16, alocking head 17 at one end, and an attachment eyelet 18 at the oppositeend. The tines are secured to the shaft at angularly evenly spacedlocations. Pairs of tines can have different lengths and shapes formaximum versatility. To maintain a symmetrically balanced hook, a pairof shorter tines may be located opposite one another while a pair oflonger tines can be located opposite one another.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each tine can be individually deployed to alocked oblique position in reference to the shaft 12 as shown by tine 13in FIG. 2, or held in a folded position substantially parallel to theshaft as shown by tine 15 in the same figure. Each tine is rotativelyattached to the shaft by a dedicated pin 19 passing through a bracket 20projecting radially perpendicularly from the periphery of the shaft andabout an axis Y perpendicular and skewed to the longitudinal axis X-X′of the shaft. Optionally, the pin 19 can be releasably held by aremovable and replaceable snap ring 55, thereby allowing the tines to beinterchangably attached to the shaft.

Accordingly, each tine 13, 14, 15, and 16 includes a short lever portion21 and a longer grappling portion 22. The lever portion 21 is terminateddistally from its pin by a locking extremity 23. The grappling portion22 terminates distally from its pin in a pointed extremity 24, and maybe barbed by one or more spurs 25. Variously sized and positionedcylindrical holes 50 and an oblong slot 51 can be formed though thegrappling portion to provide ready and rugged attachment points forclamps, clips, buckles, straps or other structures to allow the hookdrag items toward the user as the hook is retrieved.

The locking extremity 23 of the lever portion 21 is slightly oblique inreference to the grappling portion 22 and has an axial end surface 26having a substantially cylindrical concavity 52 that matches the radiusof the periphery of the shaft 53 against which it rests in the deployedconfiguration of the tine. The lever portion also includes a lateralouter surface 27 for intimately and securedly bearing against theundersurface 32 of the head 17 in the deployed configuration. When thetine is in the folded configuration the end surface 26 of the leverportion is positioned to bear against the chamfered periphery 35 of thehead undersurface.

As more specifically illustrated in FIG. 3, the head 17 is moveablymounted the axial threaded tip 58 of the shaft 12 and thus is axiallyadjustable between the unlocking position shown in FIG. 3 and thelocking position shown in FIG. 2. An Allen screw 29 inserted in achannel 30 bored obliquely through head has its tip 31 riding into thegroove 28 of the treaded tip. A terminus 59 of the groove limits thetrack of the tip and thus the axial movement of the head with respect tothe shaft. The axially symmetrical under surface 32 of the head has asubstantially planar, disc-shaped region 37 oriented perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis X-X′ of the shaft and located to bear against thelateral outer surface 27 of the lever portion of the tines when they arein the extended configuration. An area radially outwardly adjacent tothe disc-shaped region of the undersurface is machined to form acircular concave area 33 whose radius of curvature 34 is centered on thepin 19. A region radially outwardly adjacent to the concave area theundersurface is machined to form a substantially conical section-shapedchamfered peripheral region 35 oriented and located to bear against theend surface of the lever portion of the tines in the foldedconfiguration.

It must be noted that the outer end corner 36 of the end surface followsclosely the curvature of the circular concave area 33. Accordingly, thedevice can be adjusted from the unlocking position of FIG. 3 to thelocking position of FIG. 2 with little more than a turn of the head. Itshall be further noted that in the locking position, the undersurface 32of the head bears against the axial end surface 26 of a folded tine andcoincidentally against the lateral outer surface 27 of a deployed tine.Further, when a tine is in the deployed configuration and likelysubjected to greater momental forces, greater strength of support isgiven because both the axial end surface 26 bears against the shaft andcoincidentally the lateral outer surface 27 bears against the headundersurface disc-shaped region 37.

It shall be noted that angle A of the chamfered region 35 is mostpreferably about 45 degrees from the horizontal. However, slightlydifferent angles should be acceptable so long as the deployedorientation of the tine is commensurately angled. In other words, thetines can be deployed to angles greater than 45 degrees so long as thechamfer angle is commensurately reduced. This also assumes that thelateral outer surface and end surface of the lever portion remainsubstantially orthogonal to one another so that the both surfaces arecontacted in the deployed configuration by the shaft and headundersurface.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the grappling hook is provided withseveral accessories including a caddy 7 having a pouch 38 shaped anddimensioned to house the collapsed grappling hook 11. The caddy furthercontains a take-up reel 39 upon which is wound a line 10 whose oppositeextremity 9 is attached to the eyelet 18 at the proximal end of thehook. The reel rotates around an axle 40 which projects from the medianarea of a plate 41. The plate is slidingly, removably and replaceablyheld between a pair of parallel rails 42 secured to the frame of thecaddy. A handle 43 at a free end of the plate allows for easy removal ofthe reel from the caddy. A foldable hand crank 44 can be used to spinthe reel.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the head 17 has a conical cap surface 45 whoseperiphery extends approximately to the outer dimension of the foldedtines. The conical angle B of the cap surface is most preferably about130 degrees. However, variations of this angle can be acceptabledepending on the applications. Because the head is essentiallyreplaceable the design affords the enhanced ability to have a number ofheads having cap surface angles of difference degrees. By concentratingweight in the head, and providing an axially pointed tip, the grapplinghook maintains a generally aerodynamic shape so that accurate targetingis achieved. Further, the conical cap is maintained at the front of thedevice during flight, thus orienting it toward obstacles such as panesof glass for enhanced penetration therethrough. In the foldedconfiguration the hook can be easily loaded into a tubular delivery orshooting mechanism.

One or more of the tines can be set to the deployed or retractedposition independent of the other tines. In other words, each tine canbe positioned in its retracted or deployed position without regard tothe position of the remaining tines.

FIGS. 5-10 show an embodiment of our design for a carrying caddy andpouch combination.

FIGS. 11-14 show an embodiment of our design for a collapsible grapplinghook.

FIGS. 15-19 show an embodiment of our design for a collapsible grapplinghook head.

While the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described,modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractable grappling hook which comprises: acentral shaft elongated along a first axis; a plurality of tines; eachof said tines being rotatively connected by a pin to a peripheral areaof the shaft and including a short proximal lever portion having an endsurface and an outer lateral surface on one side of the pin and anelongated grappling portion on an opposite side of the pin; each of saidtines being individually pivotable from a deployed position oblique tothe shaft to a folded position substantially parallel to the shaft; andan axially movable head adjustable between a tine-unlockingconfiguration and a tine-locking configuration; wherein the head bearsagainst the axial end surface of a tine in said folded position andagainst the outer lateral surface of a tine in said deployed position;and wherein the head has a tine-contacting undersurface machined tocoincidentally rest against the end surface of a folded tine and theouter lateral surface of a deployed tine when the head is adjusted tothe locking position.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein saidundersurface has a arcuately concave circular area having a radius ofconcavity centered about the pin.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein saidradius is substantially equal to the maximum radius of travel of saidend surface.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said undersurface furthercomprises a peripheral margin chamfered to planarly rest against saidend surface.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said head furthercomprises a conical top having a periphery substantially commensuratewith the outer radial extent of said tine in said folded position. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said tine are secured tosaid shaft at evenly spaced locations.
 7. The device of claim 6, whereina plurality of said tine are interchangably secured to said shaft. 8.The device of claim 6, wherein at least one of said tines has a barbedtip.
 9. The device of claim 1, which further comprises: an eyeletmounted at a second end of said shaft; a take-up reel; and a length ofcable having a first end tied to said eyelet and an opposite second endwound upon said reel.
 10. The device of claim 9, which furthercomprises: a plate; an axle projecting perpendicularly from a medianarea of said plate and rotatively supporting said reel; and a carryinghandle attached to a side of said plate.
 11. The device of claim 10,which further comprises: a caddy which comprises: a rigid flat wall; anda pair of spaced apart, parallel rails on said wall slidingly holdingsaid plate therebetween.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein at least twoof said tines are of different lengths.
 13. A retractable grappling hookwhich comprises: a central shaft having a longitudinal first axis and across-section radius; a head movably secured to a first end of saidshaft, sais head being axially adjustable in relation to said first endto a proximal locking position, and to a distal unlocking position; atleast one tine having a pointed extremity and an opposite lockingextremity; said tine being pivotally secured to said shaft proximatelyto said locking extremity about a second axis perpendicular to saidfirst axis; said head comprising a cap having an undersurface defining acircular, arcuately concave area having a radius centered substantiallyabout said second axis when said head is adjusted to said unlockingposition; and said locking extremity being held against said shaft whensaid head is adjusted to said position.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein said locking extremity comprises: an inwardly obliqueend-portion having an outwardly-facing shoulder surface; and a bearingsurface substantially perpendicular to said shoulder surface.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein said head further comprises a conical tophaving a periphery substantially commensurate with the outer extent ofsaid tine in said locking position.
 16. The device of claim 15, whereinsaid cap bears against said bearing surface when said head is to saidlocking position.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein a plurality ofsaid tine are secured to said shaft at evenly spaced locations.
 18. Thedevice of claim 13, which further comprises: an eyelet mounted at asecond end of said shaft; a take-up reel; and a length of cable having afirst end tied to said outlet and an opposite second end wound-up onsaid reel.
 19. The device of claim 18, which further comprises: a plate;an axle projecting perpendicularly from a median area of said plate androtatively supporting said reel; and a carrying handle attached to aside of said plate.
 20. The device of claim 19, which further comprises:a caddy having a rigid flat wall; and a pair of parallel rail on saidplate slidingly holding said plate therebetween.
 21. The device of claim17, wherein at least two of said tines are of different lengths.